Company description

Project EATS (PE) occupies a unique space in the urban agricultural landscape of New York City. Founded in 2009 by artist Linda Goode Bryant, Project EATS seeks to catalyze and support residents and infrastructure of low-wealth urban communities to increase their ability to create conditions that transform their neighborhoods into vital hubs for health and wellbeing. PE believes that increased self-determination and resiliency in these communities will enhance their economic power and food sovereignty.

The PE model features small-plot, community-based and operated, high-yield farms – both ground-level and rooftop. Using sustainable, primarily hand-grown, farming methods, and employing seeding, succession planning, and carbon waste reuse, PE works to maximize crop yields and provide the community with ease of access to healthy, ultra-local, ‘income-appropriate’ food. PE also operates a prepared food line, community farm stands and food pantries to increase resident access to and consumption of nutritious food, and offers an array of workforce development, employment, and learning opportunities for community members. The use of art in PE programs increases the use of imagination, creativity, commitment, and determination as tools for reshaping social, economic, cultural, and environmental conditions in communities that support their ability to thrive and enhance their visions of what’s possible.

The long-term vision of PE is that these value chains will eventually produce real, lasting change for low-wealth communities, addressing their historic disenfranchisement and allowing them to build social and political capital, economic power, and hope.

The integration of Art and Food increases the use of imagination, creativity, commitment, and determination as tools people use to reshape social, economic, cultural and environmental conditions in their communities that make it possible for them to live an empowered Life and thrive.

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Project EATS (PE) seeks a Hydroponics Lead to join our dynamic and growing team. This is a new and vital role in our organization that will help us initiate and integrate hydroponic food production into our arsenal of high-yield farming methods as we establish financially viable small plot farms in communities that need fresh, healthy, nutritious food.

Reporting to Senior Management, this role will lead in implementing our hydroponics program. Our container farm is being fabricated and is scheduled to be on-site and operational this fall 2023. The Hydroponics Lead will be the primary farmer operating the container and will have the support of our leadership team for planning as well as our other farmers for day-to-day operation. PE has a dedicated team of farm volunteers and resident workforce farmers interested in hydroponics and this position will be responsible for educating and training community members as we strengthen resident ties and support our communities. Additionally, all PE farmers work together, in fields, on roofs, and in raised beds to maintain our sites and ensure we grow and distribute the maximum amount of food to our target markets.

Beyond the container PE is about to enter the construction phase of a farm/cafe. The farm component will be a hydroponic system of similar size and style to the container. The hydroponics systems have been thoughtfully designed and integrated into the café such that there will be significant opportunity for direct engagement with the community.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Day-to-Day Operations

• Lead planning and implementation of all container farm activities, including but not limited to, seeding; transplanting; monitoring and adjusting pH, EC, temperature, humidity, CO2, and lighting; harvesting; wash/pack; maintenance; pest management; and farm sterilization
• Manage and collaborate with other PE farmers

Crop Management

• As SOP is developed and target yields are achieved experimentation will become encouraged as many culturally appropriate crops have not been investigated in the container farm setting
• Work closely with our Sales Manager and leadership on crop selection, harvest coordination, and predicting yields
• Work towards maximum production targets

Mentorship and Training

• Train and support resident farmers, community members, and volunteers around hydroponics
• Support development of farm/cafe hydroponic system

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. As no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply if you feel that much of the following matches your experience:

• 2+ years experience operating in a CEA environment required
• Familiarity with various hydroponics system and care maintenance
• Experience soil vegetable farming in fields, on roofs, orchards, and agroforestry settings
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently up to 50 hours/week during the height of the summer growing season
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Ability to stand for long periods of time (up to 10 hours)
• Ability to lift or move heavy items, up to 50 pounds
• Comfort and experience leading large and diverse groups
• A valid driver’s license, experience and comfort operating a commercial van in NYC
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team
• Self-motivated with a bias towards action
• Sound judgment and integrity
• Comfortable working with and teaching others
• Passion for continuous learning

PROJECT EATS VALUES

We are currently in a phase of transitioning from a small start-up to a more established organization, growing our senior management and program teams, conducting strategic planning, analyzing programs, introducing more prepared food, and implementing new farming methods and technologies. With this growth, our goal is to create a strong organizational culture for our team, which translates to clear mission communication. Candidates should share a belief in and commitment to PE’s essential values:

• Imagination
• Creativity
• Resourcefulness
• Determination

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary for this role will be $58,500 or $62,000. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply and share your unique history and qualifications. We are committed to understanding individuals and creating compensation that is fair, holistic, transparent and competitive.

• Employer paid medical insurance
• 10 paid holidays, 10 paid vacation days, 5 paid sick days and 3 paid mental health days
• Bonus pay if working on holidays
• 50% discount on PE prepared eats

LOCATION

New York, New York (hydroponic farm is Brownsville, Brooklyn)

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Application instructions

Deadline

December 23, 2023